Chapter 13
The next day in court was electric.
The prosecution filed their motion. The defense argued against it. The judge retired to his chambers to consider.
We waited.
An hour later, the judge returned.
"The motion is granted," he said. "The witness may testify."
Carter's face went pale. His lawyer looked furious.
Marcus's contact—Petty Officer David Chen—took the stand. He was a quiet man with a serious face. He told the court about the incident in Bahrain. About the bar. About the woman. About watching Carter hit her.
And then he showed the photos.
The entire courtroom gasped.
The photos were clear. Damning. Carter's fist raised. The woman's terrified face. The aftermath—her bruised face, her split lip.
Carter's lawyer tried to discredit Chen. Tried to say the photos were fake. Tried to say Chen held a grudge against Carter.
But Chen didn't back down.
"I watched it happen," he said, his voice steady. "I was a coward. I didn't say anything. I let him get away with it. And then I heard about what he did to Colonel Vance. To Ms. Vance. To Sarah. And I couldn't stay quiet anymore. He's not a hero. He's a monster. And he needs to be stopped."
The jury was riveted.
I looked at Lila. She was staring at the photos, tears streaming down her face. But there was something else in her eyes now. Clarity. Understanding.
She looked at me.
And for the first time in weeks, she didn't look away.
The defense rested. The closing arguments began.
The prosecution was powerful. They laid out the evidence—the airport incident, Sarah's testimony, the text messages, the other women, Chen's testimony and photos. They painted Carter as a predator who used his position as a SEAL to intimidate and abuse women.
The defense did their best. They called Carter a hero. A patriot. A man who'd been framed by a rogue soldier and a confused young woman.
But the damage was done.
The jury retired to deliberate.
We waited.
And waited.
Six hours. Seven. Eight.
I paced the hallway. Lila sat beside Sarah, holding her hand. My parents sat on a bench, my father's arm around my mother.
Marcus stood beside me.
"They're taking a long time," I said.
"That's good," he said. "It means they're taking it seriously. They're not just rubber-stamping his acquittal because he's a SEAL."
I nodded, but my stomach was in knots.
Finally, the bailiff came out.
"The jury has reached a verdict," he said.
We filed back into the courtroom.
Carter was brought in. He looked nervous. His lawyer looked grim.
The jury foreman stood up.
"On the charge of assault on a superior officer, how do you find?"
"Guilty."
The courtroom erupted.
"On the charge of assault and battery against Sarah Jenkins..."
"Guilty."
"On the charge of stalking..."
"Guilty."
"On the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm..."
"Guilty."
"On the charge of making terroristic threats..."
"Guilty."
Charge after charge. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.
Carter's face went ashen. He looked at the jury. At the judge. At me.
Pure hatred.
But it didn't matter anymore.
The judge banged his gavel. "Sentencing will take place in four weeks. The defendant will remain in custody until that time."
The bailiffs led Carter away. He struggled, shouting.
"This isn't over! I'll appeal! I'll get out! And when I do—"
The doors slammed shut behind him.
Silence.
Then Lila stood up and ran to me.
She threw her arms around my neck, crying harder than I'd ever seen her cry.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I didn't mean what I said. I was scared. I was stupid. I love you. I love you so much."
I held her tight, my own tears falling.
"I know," I said. "I know. It's okay. It's all okay now."
Sarah joined the hug. Then my parents. Then Marcus.
We stood there in the courtroom, holding each other, as the reality sank in.
It was over.
May you like
Jake Carter was going to prison.
And we were free.
